International Relations Theory I

1
International Relations Theory I

• Realist theory

2
The origins of realist thought

• Realism as a positivist theory
• Scientific approach to social science
• IR as analytically and empirically verifiable and
  measurable through human observation
• Founding Fathers Thucydides (Peloponnesian War),
  Niccolò Machiavelli (The Prince), Thomas Hobbes
  (The Leviathan)
• Hans Morgenthau (Classical and Neo-classical
  Realism)
• Kenneth Waltz (Structural Realism and
  Neo-realism)

3
Key theoretical assumptions

• Some introductive points
• ? Oldest paradigm in the study of IR
• ? Real and objective study of international
  relations
• ? View of IR as a scientific and measurable
  discipline
• ? The focus of the analysis on material and
  measurable factors
• ? The distribution of material capabilities
  (natural and strategic resources, GDP,
  population, size of the armed forces)
• Key theoretical assumptions
• ? Sovereign states are the primary agent on the
  system
• ? Each state is a rational agent
• ? States act towards self-interest
• ? The primary goal of each state is to increase
  its security
• ? The international system is anarchic
• ? No true authoritative world government

4
Realist corollaries

• Subsidiary theoretical assumptions
• ? Material factors as exogenous variables
• ? Ideas are unimportant
• ? International Politics is not Domestic Politics
• ? Continuity in foreign policy
• ? Balance of power
• ? International institutions serve state
  interests
• ? Non State actors are irrelevant

5
Realism and the International System

• The realist doctrine
• ? Pessimistic view of the international system
• ? Limited scope for co-operation
• ? Balancing or bandwagoning
• ? Material resources shape foreign policy
• ? War likely to arise between different states
• ? A shift in capabilities will shift interests
  and objectives
• How to pursue security?
• ? States will amass resources (si vis pacem,
  para bellum)
• ? The importance of relative power (IR as a zero
  sum game)
• ? Military and economic capabilities

6
Realism in practice I

• The Balance of Power
• Triple Alliance (1882)- Triple Entente (1907)
• Cold War U.S.-U.S.S.R (1947-1989)
• Absence of Balance of Power
• Germany in Europe (1935-1939)
• Japan in Eastern Asia (1905-1941)
• U.S. since 1991
• Continuity in foreign policy
• Russia and the USSR
• United Kingdom
• France

7
Realism in Practice II

• Examples of realist policies
• LTBT (1963), NPT (1968), SALT(1972)
• Nixon and China (1972)
• The FRGs Ostpolitik (1969-1972)
• Examples of non-realist policies
• Wilson and the League of Nations
• Hitlers expansionism
• European integration

8
Neo-realism and Structural Realism

• Neo-realism and Structural Realism
• ? Exogenous influence of systemic factors
• ? Relative over absolute gains
• John Mearsheimers offensive realism
• The structure of the international system
• Offensive strategies
• Systemic Imperatives
• Relative capabilities
• State behaviour is entirely predictable
• As a state becomes more powerful, it will
  attempt to maximise its influence.this will
  place it in direct conflict with all other
  states

9
Neo-classical and Defensive Realism

• Neo-classical and Defensive Realism
• Gideon Rose (1991)
• ? The role of domestic factors
• ? Systemic and material variables have an
  exogenous function
• ? Domestic variables have an intervening function
• ? States will not always adopt offensive
  strategies
• ? Less pessimistic and mechanical view of the
  international system
• The risk of conceptual stretching?

10
Conclusions

• Summing up realist thought
• The aims justifies the means (N. Machiavelli)
• Homo homini lupus (Plautus, T. Hobbes)
• Omnia contra omnes (T. Hobbes)
• Practitioners Metternich, Bismarck, Kissinger
• Realpolitik Realität Politik
• Mechanical view of international relations
• A scientific account of world politics?